TRIBUTE TO A TRUE COMPATRIOT COMRADE YINKA ODUMAKIN
When the news got to me on April 3rd, an odious Saturday morning, it was unbelievable and quickly dismissed. Yinka, how very quiet you tiptoed into our world silently, only a moment you stayed. But what an imprint your footprints have left upon our hearts. It was a rude shock and irreconcilable submission of faith to have learnt of your death through this ugly cold claw hands of novell pandemic - COVID-19, when albeit many that fell victims recovered with ease. Yinka was a man of high ethics and integrity. It's with sadness that we lost one of our rare gem, he was one of us that we acknowledged with huge desolation that he was exceptional.
Yinka was a true fighter and one off of a true democrats for people's cause.
Love or hate him . On his assertiveness, straight- talk vibes on ills of our society today, he stood tall on all fronts. No doubt, he stood for something when he was here on earth, he believed in Yoruba political cause and so dedicated to its silver lining and rainbow shiny on Yoruba’s foreseeable mountain top and always believe that our end will always justify the means.....fight on!!!
Death can kill his soul but cannot kill the spirit and the cause he fought for , while on his earth. No doubt people will remember him for his true activisms on Yoruba Self Determination esp. during "OCCUPY NIGERIA, ENDSARS and NADECO ERA".
Yinka was a giant among other giants and a true compatriot that stood firm on principle of equity and fairness not only for Yoruba’s but for us all ."WE" the people..
Death cannot kill what never die. Yinka’s memories will ever remain in our hearts vividly in thousands of years to come. Yinka stood strong when many in their cowardice sailed under a false flag for political gains and benefits.
YINKA believed in taking first steps on a staircase without trying to second guess or try to see what the end of the staircase looks like.
Even when the road seemed unploughed, it always seemed drivable for him, and when it comes down to a dead end, he won't just turned back but double down and create another pathways because he will always find a side streets and seek the right lights at the end of his tunnel and stick to the free way to the righteousness.
They are few Odumakins in our world today, he once told me, Dr.Awofolaju, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" I will take that to grave. He truly believed in better Nigeria with true federalism and regional autonomy which will later lead to a self determination.
It doesn't matter to him, how strong your opinion are, he once said, "If you don't use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem" .
He was very forthright, classy and matchless. He was truly a one off,
irreplaceable in every sense. The family of patriot Nigerians despondency and grief know no bounds because Yinka was a unique gift from God to our nation that he loved so much. He was a very brave warrior who was never scared of death.
Yinka can be proud of the obvious fact that he stood for something while here on earth with us. He was a great Nigeria patriot endowed it's nostalgic memory there in, he never shied away from any difficult national issue or task and he always exhibit uncommon and unparalleled courage in contributing his quotas and always volunteer whenever it mattered most. He so much wanted a better Nigeria for all of us.
Yinka had a hugely successful and unblemished run in pro democracy years and especially as a spokesperson for AFENIFERE and he used his talent to make a huge differences wherever he found himself, giving many Nigerians and non-Nigerians strong voice to be proud of. I know it is never about how long one lives but we'll and I do believe that while it is good to have an end to the journey, this one gone so soon.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal, although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory of Yinka helps comfort us tomorrow.
I commiserate with his immediate
family, the widow , Dr.Okei Jo' Odumakin; Pa Odumakin, Pa Fasoranti, Pa Adebanjo, friends etc folks that Yinka left behind and pray fervently that God in his infinitive mercy grant us all fortitude and strength to carry on.
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. And as you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry knowing each tear is a note of love rising to the heaven.
Though, nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, you will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.
You don't get over it, you just get through it. You don't get by it, because you can't get around it. It doesn't get better; it just gets different.
Yinka & I may not agree on everything but agree to disagree on most things, and fight the right cause based on probity and equity for all based on sacred moral capital well expended on commonsensical cognitive reasoning.
Yinka did all that while on earth.
"All great changes are preceded by choas" he once said, and Nigeria is no difference.
So long!!! Shalom!!!
Adieu !! Giant soldier!! Adieu Patriot!!!
Everyday.....grief puts on a new face. You will be missed.
Adieu Comrade !!!!
Adieu good soldier !!!!
DEATH CANNOT KILL WHAT NEVER DIES.
Sadly
Dr. Akin Awofolaju
President Yoruba Action Council